Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1887-08-05

nave known nothing about it. l made
he door secure with trembling fingers,
and went back to my room again, not
onlv profoundly sorry that MIR. Reade's
nlrmise was correct-for l could no |
longer doubt that Mr.. Rayner did sleep |
over the stables-but impressed with |
an eerie dread of the man who could
move about in the night as noiselessl,
and swiftly as spirit.
When | awoke. however. in the
fresh morning, with the wind gone I
down, and the sun shining in through |
nv east window, all unpleasant inn
pressions of the night before had faded |
away; and, when Mr.. Rayner brought
into the drawing-room after dinner a
portfolio full of his sketches and
panels and was delighted with my ap-
of them-I knew something
about pictures. for my father had been
q painter-I felt that it was not for me
to Judge his actions, and that there
must be some good motive that did
not know for his sleeping far out OF
the damp, as for every thing else that
he did. He proposed to paint me. and
gave him a sitting that very after
noon in the dining-room, which had
north light. though there was not
much of it; and he said that he must
finish it next day in his studio, and.
when I objected to neglect my lessons
again, he said the whole family should
emigrate thither for the morning, and
then perhaps should be satisfied.
So the next day, at eleven O'Clock.
he came into the schoOl-rOom with
Mrs. Rayner. who wore her usual air
of being drawn into this against what
will she had, and we all four crossed
the garden to the stables, and went up
through the harness-room to the big
room over the cOach-hOuse, which
looked even more comfortable than l
had expected.
For the floor was polished, and there
were two beautiful rugs, q handsome
6ger-skin. and still handsomer lion
skin with the head attached. At one
end of the room was = partition, and
behind this partition ! guessed that
Mr.. Rayner slept. There was a bright
fire burning in the tiled fireplace, and
there were soft easy-chairs rather worn
BY constant use, but very comfortable,
and there were pictures on the walls,
and there was dark carved-Oak cab:-
net full of curious and beautiful things,
and a writing-table; and lastly there
were the ease! and q great cOnfu-
sion of portfolios and half-fnished
sketches and studies Altogether the
room contrasted very favOrably with
the moldy-looking drawing.room. Per-
haps Mrs. Rayner thought so as she
sat down, with one eager intent look
round the room, as if she had never
seen it before; and then, without any
remark, she took out her knitting, and
worked silently. while posed again as
l had done on the previous day, with
my head on one side. and my hands.
as Mr.. Rayner had placed them
clasped under my chin, while he painted
and talked.
After two hours work, Mr.. Rayner
called us to look at his sketch, which
represented a very lovely girl with
dark gray eyes little larger than
mine, a red-lipped mouth q little
smaller, teeth little whittier, and .
complexion a little creamier in the
white parts and a little roster in the
red; and the brown hair coiled on the
top was Just little glossier and
smoother than mine ever was. 1t was
Just little like me all the same; and l
was rather hurt when Mrs. Rayner
summoned spirits enough to say that
he had flattered me, although l knew
it quite well. But Mr.. Rayner said
that it was impossible for q portrait to
flatter handsome woman, and Mrs.
Rayner raised her thin shoulders in a
slight shrug and turned to leave the
room.
/ "You are an excellent model. you sit
so still. 1t is pleasure to paint you
for that and-for other reasons" said
he, slowly and deliberately. "What
shall give you as a reward for re-
naming SO long without blinking or
yawning as all professional models
do?'
Nothing, MIR. Rayner; like having
it done. It flatters ones vanity to be
rainted; and flattery is always reward
enough for a woman, they say" said
1, laughing and following Haidee to the
door.
II shall find something more sub
stantial than that" said Mr.. Rayner,
in low voice, as if half to himself.
looking up with very kind smile as
left the room.
That afternoon Haidee had Just left
the schoolroom when Mr.. Rayner came
in. He held in his hand an old and
shabby little case.
1.-The poor painter has not forgotten
his promise" said he, with mock hui
milfty. Now see what you have
earned by sitting STILL"
He drew me to my window and
opened the case, keeping his eyes fixed
upon my face as he did so. The case
was lined with old and worn red vel
vet, and had evidently not been made
for the ornament it contained. This
was large pendant in the form of q
heart, which was q blaze Of wha,
seemed to me the most magnificent
diamonds had ever seen. The sigh,
of them inspired me not with pleasure.
but terror. l drew long breath Of
surprise and admiration.
lit ID Inc most beautiful thing have
ever seem" said l at last, not quite
able to take in yet the fact that it waa
meant for me. and hoping against hope
that it was not.
"You like diamondsi" said he, in q
low voice.
"They are lovely-the most beauti-
full of all jewels, think" said !. with
break in my voice.
"Would you like to have your hair
and neck and arms covered with dia-
monds, like duchess ct courtP" asked
he.
Hooked up and laughed with rather
an effort.
ZIP Oh, no! shouldn't care for
diamonds myself; I should look alb
surd in them. Diamonds are for great
ladies, not for governesses."
/ "Well, without being . great lady, q
governess may wear an ornament she
has fairly earned, may she aoti"
Eyes, if it has been fairly earned, ="
said !. trying to keep up . light tone
Of talk, though my heart was beating
fast.
"And 50 you can accept this pretty
little thing Is the reward of your serv-
ices to grateful painter and . souvenir
of our pleasant morning al together in
the studio"
'Oh, no-oh, no. can't indeed!''
said l earnestly. Don't be angry with
me. Mr.. Rayner; but the very thought
of possessing any thing so valuable
| would ho q burden <o ma v,;rb< orJ